Yes, you can now get paid to go to the footy

For millions of Australians, the AFL season means one thing: weekends at the footy.

The scarf comes out, the group chat lights up, and suddenly the calendar revolves around match-ups, ladder positions and whether your team can finally knock off a rival.

But in 2026, there's a small twist that could make game day even better.

What if going to the footy could actually help your finances?

A new feature from Australian fintech platform Cents2 is offering AFL fans cashback on ticket purchases - meaning the money you were already spending on game day could start working for you.

Get Paid to Go to the Footy

With the AFL season kicking off this weekend, fans can now earn up to $5 cashback when purchasing AFL tickets through the Cents2 app.

It's a simple idea: if you're already buying tickets to the footy, why not get something back for it?

Instead of the cashback sitting idle in an account, Cents2 automatically sends it toward whatever financial goal you choose - whether that's paying off bills, reducing your mortgage, boosting your super or even investing.

In other words, your Saturday night at the footy could quietly help chip away at your electricity bill or add a little extra to your long-term savings.

Not bad for something you were going to do anyway.

Turning Everyday Spending Into Progress

The idea behind Cents2 isn't about cutting back on the things people enjoy. It's about making the spending Australians already do work harder in the background.

The platform links to your bank account and rounds everyday purchases up to the nearest dollar, collecting the spare change and directing it toward goals you care about.

Buy a coffee? The leftover cents get saved.

Pay for groceries? A few extra cents get added to your progress. Over time, those small amounts build up - especially when combined with cashback offers from brands people already use.

Now, with AFL tickets added to the mix, even game day spending can contribute.

Where the Cashback Can Go

One of the things that makes the platform different is where the money can actually end up. Instead of being stuck in a rewards wallet, users can direct their round-ups and cashback toward things like:

• Paying everyday bills
• Reducing a mortgage
• Boosting superannuation
• Investing (including options like gold or silver)
• Supporting a favourite charity
• Travel or loyalty rewards

The idea is simple: small, automatic contributions that build up over time without changing how you spend.

A Win for Footy Fans

Let's be honest - going to the footy isn't getting any cheaper. Between tickets, food, transport and merch, a game day can add up quickly.

But, if you're already heading along to support your team this season, getting a bit of cashback along the way is a pretty decent bonus.

And if that bonus quietly helps pay down a bill or boost your savings, even better, because if you're going to the footy anyway, you might as well make it work a little harder for you.

Download the Cents2 app to start earning cashback on AFL tickets this season.

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